Chronology of the EIB: 1998-2007

4 July 2007

The EIB issued the first Climate Awareness Bonds on the capital markets, the world’s first Green Bonds. The funds raised are earmarked to match disbursements to EIB lending projects in the field of renewable energy and energy efficiency. Discover in this video some of the projects that the bonds have made possible.

19 December 2002

Financing of the final phase of construction of the large hadron collider at CERN, the European Organisation for Nuclear Research. The 27-kilometre tunnel aimed at reproducing the conditions that existed at the beginning of the Big Bang. The large hadron collider took European innovation into a new dimension.

12 June 2002

Signing of a framework agreement between the EIB and Russia. A sewage treatment network in St. Petersburg received, in 2003, the first loan granted by the EIB in Russia. The construction of this plant was part of the programme for the environmental rehabilitation of the Baltic.

15 and 16 June 2001

European Council of Gothenburg: the EIB is asked to promote the sustainable development strategy. This image shows the EIB’s involvement in investments aimed at protecting the planet from the negative effects of climate change. Since 2002, the bank and the Commission are coordinating their efforts in this field.

5 June 2000

Creation of the EIB Group. The European Investment Bank (EIB) becomes majority shareholder of the European Investment Fund (EIF). The EIF becomes EIB Group’s specialist arm for providing risk capital.

1 January 2000

Start of the presidency of Philippe Maystadt.

26 February 1999

EIB adopts new logo, intended to embody the idea that the Bank is investing in Europe's future, nurturing the European Union's objectives. It is also aims to emphasise the idea of partnership, which underpins our activities.